The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1887-12-22

~. fo,eT1, 49, ''i ~ pTom war time photo
the road machine shops, Mr.. Anthony
Murphy, sat down to the breakfast table
not far apart. Before they had tasted q
mouthful, however, the sound of escaping
steam, the loud whir of the wheels on
the track and the outcry that rose in a
moment from guards and camp, brought
them and all the breakfasters to their
feet. BY this time the locomotive had
started and Fuller and Murphy, with
loud EXPLANATIONS about the robbery of
the train, rushed pell nell with every
body else out on the platform, the
passengers who had been uncoupled and
left on the road not being behind others
in their complaints and uproar. The
whole camp also was in a turmoil. A
single glance around showed Fuller that
theG->1as no chance for help there; and
being q mall st quick thought his mind
fastened on an idea--utterly wrong as it
proved-but which had the merit of put
ting him vigorously 20 work The near
est guard declared that only four men
were engaged in the capture-he had only
seen those that mounted the engine-and
others corroborated him. Fuller remem-
bered the conscripts he had been warned
to watch for, and at once the thought
flashed across his mind, "Some Of those
men, one OF whom happened to know
enough OF an engine to pull open the
throttle, have jumped on my train TO get
out OF camp, and as soon as they are out
side they will leave the engine and run
into the mountains. must follow as
fast as possible and try TO get 1t back be-
fore 1 get very badly out OF time"
The presence of Mr.. Anthony Murphy
that morning was purely accidental. He
was going to examine an engine at Ala
toona reported out OF order. As an omcer
of high authority on the road, command
ing all engineers and flremen, knowing all
IA nh a
perfectly, his presence at that time was
most unfortunate for us. He was man
OF great GOODNESS and good Judgment. His
first action was far-sighted. He sent Mr..
William Kcndrick on horseback to Mari
eta to notify the superintendent at At
lanta by wire. Mr., Kendrick arrived in
time to hold freight train there till
orders were flashed back to drop all cars
but one, run up to Big ShRnty, load on
soldiers and pursue with all speed. This
was the first train in chase A message
was also sent from Marietta to Richmond,
but no result followed that. Ny opinion
is that Andrews had In some way ar
ranged for cutting the wire between Chat
tanooga and Knoxville, which was the
only route by which the message could
have gone around and got on the line Of
the Western and Atlantic railroad ahead
of us.
Had these been the only measures of
pursuit-wise and judicious as they were
our task would have been easy. But
Fuller's error and his ardent tempera-
ment prompted I'd another course. He
had called Murphy and Cain, "Come on
with me-" they promptly followed and
the three OF them started at a dead run up
the track. The spectacle OF three men
running vigorously after flying engine,
as IL they expected to catch IL, instantly
restored the mob to good humor, and
they cheered and shouted with laughteri
What would have been the fate Of these
runners If they had overtaken us at the
first stop, where we cut wire and OBJ
structed the track, it is needless TO in
quire. They would have hardly begun
such chase had they not entirely under
estimated our number, as well as mis-
taken our purpose. The Atlanta Southern
Confederacy of the next day, In an article
full OF panic, written before the issue was
determined, speaks of us as 'some four
men yet unknown"
The different running powers of the
pursuers were soon made evident in this
apparently hopeless chase. Fuller was
extraordinarily feet and OF great endur-
ance. His companions were equally
jealous but less able for running. They
were, therefore, soon spread out for a
considerable distance. While putting In
his best efforts, Fuller shouted back en-.
couragement to his comrades, but did not
wait The hope Of getting his train soor
was 100 anu Nc Also IcAEeo ina
the reckless men who had taken 1t might
do some injury to the engine before h
could come up. The idea that they might
offer any resistance did not enter hi
mind.
But the chase could not long have con
tinued IN this manner, for human muscles
cannot be pitted successfully agains
steam. The labored breath and the de
creasing pace Of the runners showed tina
they were well nigh exhausted; and a
curve after curve was rounded-for witt
the instinct of railroad men they chung t
the track-they grew discouraged; bu
Just before their second wind" was ex
hausted, they received both help and re
newed excitement. They came to Noon
station, some two miles from the place Q
starting, and have never been able omak
even plausible conjecture OF the tin
consumed in this first stage OF the 3ou,
ney; but it is certain that 1t was Just .
little as straining muscles and iron coul
well make it.
Here they learned from the track laytr
party that some Of their tools had bet
borrowed" and short distance beyoL
some ties placed on the track and Il
telegraph cut. This was our first hal
and the track had been DISTRACTED that
train coming from Atlanta might be hi
dered. The pursuers here found han
caY-not one Of the elaborate machil
cars, which may be driven at great spec
but what Fuller termed '.pole car"
was at once pressed into service and ga